Almost everything we do, ashore and afloat, is governed by laws, which we must obey, and guidance, which we can accept or ignore. When driving, we are governed by the…
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Which electric sailboat outboard motor is best for a 17fter? Ask the experts
Philip Hodson of Newmarket, Suffolk writes: “For years I have been powering my 17ft, 1972 Lysander yacht Maywing with a stalwart British Seagull 6hp Kingfisher outboard motor. “But now, having…
Why does my Volvo Penta engine lack revs under load? Ask the experts
Simon Mitchell from Essex writes: “I have a Volvo Penta 2003T with 950 hours running time. It starts perfectly and runs smoothly. There is no oil or water consumption and…
Is it worthwhile fitting an automatic bilge pump? Ask the experts
James Brooking asks: “I have a 25ft bilge keel yacht, it is fitted with a large Whale pump in the cockpit to service the engine compartment and cabin. “I also…
Best cruising boats under 30 feet: Is this the ideal size for a yacht?
Cruising boats of around 30ft can often become a ‘boat for life’. Having graduated from dinghies to small cruisers, many sailors decide that something around 30ft will give them enough…
Spirit stove installation: How make your boat’s galley safer and cheaper to run
Garry Flashman swaps gas for meths to make cooking and a cuppa much safer, easier and cheaper on his replica Nobby
Boat toilet troubleshooting: How to service a Jabsco toilet pump
Most modern mass produced yachts are fitted with Jabsco hand pumped boat toilets. They are cheap, simple and robust and can put up with a lot of abuse. On the…
Best sextants: 5 plastic options under £400 for taking a noon sight
In the mid-seventies I sailed a small boat from the UK to Tahiti, crossing the Atlantic, Caribbean and Pacific. My primary navigation tool was a plastic sextant, with timing provided…
Save the Jubilee Sailing Trust – here’s how it helped my friend Tony
The Jubilee Sailing Trust, a sail training charity that has helped Sam Llewellyn's friend Tony and many others, has launched an urgent appeal
How to charter a yacht: Your essential guide to the world of yacht vacations
What’s not to love about a yacht charter holiday? Skippered holidays are ideal for anyone feeling rusty or wishing to take advantage of a local guide and sailing coach to…
Channel Hopping: Ryan to the Rescue
Some recent videos and articles about migrant rescues have got our resident YouTube fanatic up on a soapbox
Celestial navigation books: Best guides to navigating by the sun and stars
I have always considered the ‘noon sight’ to be something romantic and intellectually interesting. Having learned from books how to get a fix by measuring the altitude of the sun,…
Remote working tips: How I set up my 36ft yacht for offshore work
There are three key elements needed for reliable remote working: adequate charging systems, a good data connection and protection for your kit. Remote working kit: charging systems Charging equipment has…
Electric sailboat conversion: How my Parker Super Seal went zero-emissions
Aiming to do our bit for the environment, we recently made a number of lifestyle changes – and one of them was converting our Parker Super Seal yacht into an…
Offshore weather forecasts: An alternative solution for receiving weatherfax information
When offshore, the ability to receive weather forecasts when there is no phone or VHF reception is crucial as it gives you the time to avoid or prepare for a…
Best satellite phones: What to look for when buying a satphone
Some, such as the Thuraya SatSleeve Plus, transform your own phone into a satellite device, while Iridium Go works with up to five smartphones using an app. Others, such as…
Raymarine RL70C troubleshooting: Our expert solves a range problem
Peter Gaskin writes: “I have a problem with the Raymarine RL70C plotter on the boat – it won’t show below three miles range. “We suspected the card and got a…
How to remove gelcoat: Our expert’s advice on sanding back your boat
Antony Cole writes: “I have 50-year-old GRP trimaran with damaged gel coat undersides. “The gelcoat was left rough and pitted by grit blasting to remove the old antifouling and in…
Best trailer sailboats: Our trailer sailing expert offers his recommendations
Paul Adamson from the Isle of Man, writes: “My wife and I are looking to buy a trailer sailboat, mainly for coastal cruising with an overnight before returning to berth.…
“Sir, your boat is on fire” – one PBO reader’s charter trip drama
Prolific Learning from Experience author Chris Mardon recalls a suspicious yacht fire in the Caribbean